Chapter 4

The cart, creaking and groaning, carried Platinum and Eisen down the forest path. The old man with white streaks in his hair, who was controlling the horse, had been glancing back at them with a worried look several times, but he didn't say a word.

It was understandable.

He was a stableman from the castle who had been forced by the soldiers to transport them to the outskirts of the capital. He probably didn't even know who Platinum was.

(Sigh)

Platinum sighed inwardly and stole a glance at Eisen, who was sitting across from her. She thought about starting a conversation but couldn't find the right words. More than anything, she was concerned about the chains wrapped around his arms.

Eisen, however, seemed completely oblivious to Platinum's worries. He was sitting with his eyes closed, and upon closer inspection, his complexion was terribly pale.

(Maybe he's in the same situation as me?)

A sudden premonition welled up inside her. Platinum had been sent away because she was believed to have a short life. If the man chosen to be her attendant also had some kind of issue...

A sense of guilt and a bit of camaraderie sprouted in Platinum's heart.

(I hope we can get along a little.)

Her life was short, and this journey, though akin to exile, was also a chance to see the outside world. She hoped they could spend this time in peace.

Platinum turned her gaze to the scenery around her, trying to change her mood. The natural world, which she had only seen through windows, was incredibly fresh. The smell of trees, earth, and living things made her cheeks relax. The fear of death was there, but the joy of experiencing the outside world was even greater.

"Why are you smiling?"

"!!"

Startled by the sudden voice, Platinum jumped and turned to face Eisen. He had opened his eyes, which had been closed a moment ago, and was staring at her intently. The sharpness in his black eyes made her shrink back.

"The view outside is... beautiful..."

"Is it?"

Eisen looked around the surroundings with a genuinely puzzled expression, mimicking Platinum.

"I think the palace gardens are much more beautiful."

"Maybe you're right."

The palace gardens where she had lived until she was seven were indeed beautifully maintained. The temple also had a small garden that was always in bloom. But...

"I've never seen nature untouched by human hands before."

Feeling somewhat embarrassed by her admission, Platinum lowered her gaze. She was ashamed that this was her first time outside.

"Is this... your first time?"

"Yes. Since I was seven, I've spent the past ten years praying in the temple, and I wasn't allowed to go outside."

Eisen's expression changed for the first time. His eyes widened, and he stared at Platinum as if she were something unbelievable. It made her uncomfortable.

"Are you the sister of... that one?"

"That one...?"

"...Princess Medea."

Eisen said Medea's name as if it were the name of a food he disliked, and his expression was stern. Platinum was surprised but didn't press the matter, simply nodding.

"Yes, but only half. Medea and I have different mothers."

If Medea had been a full sister, would things have been different?

When their father, the king, was still alive, Platinum and Medea were treated equally. They even played together. But after the king's death and Rega's ascension to the throne, Platinum was quickly confined to the temple. Since then, her interactions with Medea had been minimal. Each time they met, Medea became increasingly harsh towards Platinum. At first, Platinum didn't understand why, but she later learned that some people believed she was a "Holy Maiden," which Medea apparently resented. When she heard this, Platinum could only laugh bitterly.

Even if she were revered, it wasn't for herself. The "Holy Maiden" was an idealized figure, and the rumors were spread by people on their own. Compared to Medea, who was treated like a princess in the palace, Platinum felt she had a much less fortunate life.

"I've always lived quietly in the temple. That girl and I... are completely different."

Her ceremonial robes were frayed at the hem, and she looked quite shabby. She had never worn a fancy dress like Medea's since she grew up. Her hair, too, was rarely styled neatly.

"Indeed."

Even though she had been putting herself down, it hurt to have it agreed with. The coldness in her fingertips reflected her guilt over involving Eisen in this journey.

"You're very different from that woman. She never had the ability to look at herself objectively."

"Huh?"

Confused by his words, Platinum looked at Eisen, who was still staring at her. His black eyes seemed to have a slightly softer light, making her feel a bit uneasy.

"Um, why did you become my attendant, Eisen?"

She asked the question to change the subject. After speaking, she realized it was a foolish question and groaned inwardly, but Eisen didn't seem to mind. He shrugged as if to say, "Finally, you asked."

"I've always been a mercenary, traveling from place to place. A few years ago, I came to this country to participate in a swordsmanship tournament. I accidentally won, and they forced me to join the royal guard."

It took a moment for Platinum to process his words and understand his story.

"Being forced to join the royal guard... is that even possible?"

"I thought the same thing at the time. Of course, I resisted. But when they told me that one of the prizes for winning the tournament was a position in the royal service, I couldn't refuse. Somehow, I was appointed as a royal guard."

Platinum gasped.

"Later, I found out that your sister... Medea, apparently liked my appearance. Black hair and eyes are rare in this country, and she wanted a man who stood out to serve her."

"Medea?"

Platinum blinked in disbelief. Medea always brought beautiful royal guards with her when she visited the temple. She never imagined it was Medea's personal preference. The blatant misuse of power left Platinum speechless.

"I was fine with wherever I could hone my skills. But the royal guards here are just puppets of that woman. They focus on their appearance rather than training. So, I repeatedly asked to resign."

Eisen's expression darkened as he recalled the past. He clenched his fists, and the chains around his wrists made a heavy sound.

"My requests were always ignored. They didn't want to upset that woman, so a week ago, I tried to escape from this country."

"Escape?"

"Yes. Being a kept man was worse than being a fugitive. Once I left this country, I could live however I wanted."

Eisen's profile, as he looked in the direction of the cart's movement, seemed refreshed. As a traveler, he was strong and full of life. Platinum squinted, dazzled by his vitality.

"But I failed. Many of the royal guards disliked me, so they were probably watching me. That's why I was caught and ended up like this."

Eisen lifted his chained arms with a bitter smile.

"Princess, can you see these chains?"

"Yes, the chains."

"Right. They didn't seem to see them, but you can, can't you?"

"...Yes. They're a curse, aren't they?"

Eisen's eyes narrowed in satisfaction at Platinum's answer.

"Exactly. This is the punishment for trying to escape. A strange magician in the castle gleefully put these chains on me."

When Eisen shook his arms, the chains made a heavy sound. But upon closer inspection, they had no physical form. No matter how much he swung them, they never touched anything but Eisen. The cart's floor, for example, was unscathed.

"Since I was cursed with these chains, I can't act on my own will. If I disobey, the chains become unbearably heavy, and my arms feel like they'll be torn off. The magician even said that if I seriously disobeyed, the chains would tear my arms off."

Eisen's face was clearly filled with anger as he spoke.

(Oh, this person really is like me.)

Feeling that her earlier sense of empathy was correct, Platinum looked at Eisen.

"I have three restrictions. I can't disobey the orders of the country's rulers, I must serve as your attendant and protector, and..."

Eisen's gaze pierced Platinum directly.

"I must witness your death."

"..."

"Princess, what task have you been given? You're a princess, right? This isn't just a pilgrimage, is it?"

Platinum was taken aback by his straightforward question. She had realized that Eisen might not know her fate, but to find out he really didn't...

"You're right. I think you have the right to know. Will you listen to my fate?"